Gun sight mounts



Oct. 29, 1957 K. w. HARPER GUN SIGHT MOUNTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Iggy. 12, 1954 INVBNTOR KENMARD w. HARPER AT T ORNEIS Och 29, 1957 v K. w.` HARPER 2,810,963

GUN SIGHT MOUNTS Filed May 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KENNARD w. HARPER Unite GUN SIGHT MOUNTS Application May 12, 1954, Serial No. 429,182

s claims. (cia3-50) 'Ihis invention relates to improvements ingmounting means for telescopic sights for guns -and the like, and more particularly to efficient lightweight means adapted toeasily and accurately detachably mount a gun sight or the like upon `a riile or similar firearms.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved mount for telescopic gun sights andthe like which is readily detachable but yet `positive and` eicient in use and which is characterized by a sturdy, lightweight, compact, durable construction yet which is exceptionally simple and trouble-free during repeated use thereof under all types of use and service conditions.'1

Another object of the invention is to provide a gun sight mount of the above character which allows the telescopic sight to be quickly and easily accurately and positively attached to the gun for use and as easily removed from the gun without requiring the use of tools or like means. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved gun sight mount or the like which cannot be readily altered in so far as alignment is concerned by anyone tampering with any part of the mount, or adjustment screws or the like thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a gun sight mount of the above character which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and yet of a construction to withstand a great deal Vof handling and use without danger of losing its initial alignment, and it is a further object to provide in such a gun sight mount arconstruction which not only permits the sight to be rapidly positioned and locked in accurate alignment upon the gun but which also permits, when the telescope is removed, use of the gun without protruding mounting brackets inconveniently extending from the gun.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows when taken in connection with the accompanying v,drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a gun sight mount or the like embodying the present invention shown mounted upon a conventional riile;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the rifle of Fig. 1 but with the detachable portion of the mount removed; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on section line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an exploded sectional view of parts used in the assembly shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on section line 6--6 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to a part of Fig. 6 but illustrating parts thereof in an unlocked position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of guide way means and a co-operating slidable member of the device; and, Y

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing a modified construction.V t t 1 f States 'Patent-0 ICC Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, it will be seen the gun sight mount embodying the invention comprises broadlyA a slidable detachable load carrying or supporting memberrltl to which the telescope or like'sighting means is attached and a xed load carrying or supporting member 11 secured to the breech 15 of a gun, fille or similar-firearms 12 by screws or the like 13,'(see Figs. l, 2 and 3). Said fixed member 11, is cast, moulded or otherwise formed with spaced mounting lugs 14 which extend through the wooden stock portion of the gun and vare'positioned against the breech 15. The screws 13 extend through openings in the lugs 14 and-have threaded engagement with the breech 15 of thefgun, thereby rigidly securing the member 11 tothe gun. l

It is to be understood that the telescopic gun sight mount herein described may be -adapted for attachment to guns of other types than the type illustrated in the present disclosure, and the only alterations which will be necessary will be in the length and locations of the three mounting lugs 14 and corresponding changes in the stock and breech of the gun. in no way detract from the features of novelty ofthe present improved gun sight mount being described herein.

The fixed supporting member 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower elongated parallel tracks 16 and 17, respectively, (see Figs. 2 and 3) whichrare adapted to receive upper and lower elongated parallel channels 18 and 19 (see Figs. 4 and 5) formed in the detachable supporting member 10. It will be noted from the cross section shown in Fig. 8 that the elongated tracks 16 and 17 are convexly curved and that the channels 18 and 19 are concavely curved to receive same. The channels 18 and 19 are preferably each semi-circularly curved to a radius r, of predetermined length. It will be noted, on the other hand, that a two-point contact is obtained at 20A and 20B between the upper channel 18 and the upper track 16. Also a similar but opposed two-point contact is obtained at 20C and 20D between the lower channel 19 and the lower track 17. These two-point contacts are obtained by providing each track 16 and'17 of the iixed supporting member 11 with predetermined radii of curvature r2 which are slightly larger than the radii r1 for channels 18 and 19 and by merging the ends of each of these curves into the side wall portions of the member 11 by shorter radii r3. By providing such a two-point or more exactly a two-line parallel contact between the upper track 16, of fixed member 11 and the channel 18, of member 10, it is evident that an extended horizontalV alignment will always be obtained and maintained, in repeatedly positioning the detachable member 10 upon the fixed member 11 provided the members are thereafter securely maintained in such relation, almost regardless of wear that may take place during use between these parts. The two-line parallel contact obtained at points 20C and 20D will be presently described.

A telescopic sight 21, as shown by dot-dash lines in Figs. 1 and 4, is secured by means of a pair of clampingV screws, bolts or the like 24 and 25 which are' screwl threaded into two upstanding lugs 22 and 23 provided upon the slidable detachable member 10. The slidable detachable member 10 and telescopic sight assembly se-` cured thereto may accordingly be positioned upon the gun by slidably engaging the rear end of the tracks 16, 17 on the xed member 11 with channels 18 and-19 and, thereafter urging the telescopic sight assembly forward until the leading edge of the detachable member 10 "en-V gages a xed stop pin 26. This pin 26 isV secured tothe forward end Vof the fixed supporting member 11 and' extends laterally a short distance therefrom as shown in Fig. 3J stoppin-2 6 functions' ,also Yto-accuratelylocate,

Nevertheless such changes will the detachable member 10 in its proper fore-and-aft position upon the slideway 11 for locking purposes as will be presently described.

The detachable member 10 earrying the telescopic sight assembly 21 is then aecurately and securely locked in positionviipon the tracks 16 and 17 by means Vof two similar locking devices 27 and 28. Each locking device 27 and 28 consists of a bolt 31 which extends upwardly through a handle portion 29 (see Figs; 4 and 5) through a spacer or washer 30, and through an aperture 36 in a resilient arm portion 10a of the member 10 and into the member 10; Atapered pin 33 is thereafter used to fixedly secure the bolt 31 relative to the handle 29 in a manner which will be described hereinafter;

By providing a pair of slots 34 in the lower portion of the detachable member `10 at opposite ends thereof, the resilient arm portions 10a mentioned above are formed, and in order to strengthen the structure and better accommodate the threaded openings for the bolts 31 a pair of bosses 32 are provided upon the member 10 adjacent each locking device 27 and 28. The slots 34 extend outwardly partially into each boss and end in cylindrical bores 34a so that the resiliency desired will be provided. Thus by rotating the free end of each handle 29 in the proper direction (counter clockwise in Fig. 7) during use of the mount, the bolt 31 will be threaded into the member 10 thereby forcing the lower resilient arm portion 10a associated therewith upwardly. Since the opposite ends of the lower channel 19 are carried upon the resilient arm portions, such action produces a clamping effect of the channels 1S and 19 upon tracks 16 and 17 of the fixed supporting member 11.

To further secure the slidable detachable member 10 to the fixed supporting member 11 and to insure perfect alignment of the sight upon the rifle by insuring that the detachable member 10 has been slipped completely upon the supporting member 11 before it can be locked in place, each handle 29 is provided with an enlarged hub portion 29a for receiving the bolt 31 and a reduced collar portion 35 extending upwardly therefrom. This collar portion 35 extends into the opening 36 provided in the lower resilient portion 10a of the member 10 and has an upper outer shoulder portion 35a projecting out into channel 19 when the handle is in locking position, as indicated in Fig. 6. In order to receive each projecting shoulder 35a when the supporting members 10 and 11 are completely together, track 17 is provided with a pair of arcuately formed recesses or depressions 37 big enough to receive these shoulder portions 35a.

Each shoulder portion 35a, it will be clear from Figs. 4 and 6, is provided with a straight sided cut-away portion or recess 38 which in the locking position shown in Fig. 6 is at the outer side of the shoulder portion 35a but which is adapted to have its straight sides positioned exactly parallel to and adjacent the depressions 37 in track 19 when the handle is rotated 180 in a clockwise direction to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 7. By so rotating the two handles Z9 180 from their locking to their unlocked position, the bolts 31 will be simultaneously rotated and the clamping effect of the channels 18 and 19 on the detachable supporting member 10 will be relieved. Thus with both locking devices 27 and 28 in positions corresponding to that shown in Fig. 7, the detachable supporting member 10 and telescopic gun sight assembly carried thereby will be free to be urged rearwardly along the tracks 16 and 17 of fixed member 11 and completely removed from the gun. In order to assure that the handles 29 are in proper position when the telescopic gun sight assembly is to be removed from the gun, stop pins 39 are provided in and Varranged to project downwardly from the lower side of the resilient portions 10a of the supporting member 10. These pins function to limit t-h'e 'counter clockwise rotation of the handles29, as shown in Fig. 7.

In order to provide a sturdy, accurate and easily operated detachable gun sight mount of the above character, the following convenient method of assembly of the parts is employed. After the fixed supporting member 11 has been secured to the breech of the gun, the supporting member is slipped onto this member and moved forwardly into engagement with the stop pin 26. Thereafter the locking devices Z7 and 28 are each loosely assembled by fitting the spacer member (see Figs. 4 and 5) over the reduced collar portion 35 of the handle 29 after which this collar portion is placed in one of the openings 36 in the lower resilient portions 10a of the supporting member 10. Then each bolt 31 is inserted through the opening in the handle 29 and threaded into the opening in the supporting member 10.

Each handle 29 is next rotated to the position shown in Fig. 6 and held in this position while the bolt 31, provided with a hex head 40 or the like to receive a wrench or suitable tool, is tightened and until the pressure obtained between the channels 18 and 19 and the tracks 16 and 17 is sufficient to provide a good clamping action. With each device thus far assembled, a hole is drilled through the enlarged apertured hub portion 29a of the handle 29 and through the enlarged cylindrical shoulder portion 41 of the bolt 31. The drilled hole is next taperreamed and fitted with a tapered pin 33. While such a pinned connection is preferred obviously other types might function as well, such as a straight pin and hole, a threaded pin and .threaded hole or grooved pin and hole. Since the hex head 40 formed on the bolt 31 is of no further use, it is preferably removed, as by the sawing off of same, and the rough surface is then smoothed off by filing or the like.

Thus subsequent rotation of the handles 29 from the positions shown in Fig. 6 to that indicated in Fig. 7 will not only release the clamping pressure on the tracks 16 and 17 but also will align the recesses 38 adjacent the depressions 37 so that detachable supporting member 10 carrying the gun sight may be removed from the gun; and of course, thereafter, each time the sight is positioned and locked upon the gun it will be securely and precisely aligned. With the above-mentioned gun sight `assembly removed, it can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3 that the gun may be put into immediate use employing the conventional open sights thereon since the fixed snpporting member 11 will be the only remaining fixture upon the gun.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that simple, efficient and economical means has been provided for accomplishing all the objects and advantages of the invention. However, it will be understood that various substitutions and modications might be made within the spirit of the invention. One such alternate form of construction for obtaining the exact and durable alignment desired for the separable supporting members 10 and 11 is shown in Fig. 9. In this modified arrangement the detachable member 10 is provided with a pair of differently shaped channels and the fixed member 11 is provided with a pair of differently shaped guide tracks. The detachable member 10, instead of having semi-circularly shaped opposed channels as in Fig. 8, is provided with a pair of V way channels formed by elongated sloping Walls 44 and 45 and, if desired, by an interconnecting elongated top wall 46. The fixed member 11, instead of having approximately semi-elliptically shaped guide tracks as in Fig. 8, is formed with elongated rounded outer corner portions 47 and an elongated straight wall portion 48 therebetween. Nevertheless, spaced pairs of spaced elongated parallel contact lines 50A, 50B and 50C, 50D will be provided as in the preferred modification. Both constructions will provide, however, exact and lasting alignment even though the parts may be assembled and disassembled repeatedly. Furthermore, should any slight wear occur along the pairs of contact lines l20A, 20B or along 20C, 20D in Fig. 8 or along contact lines 50A, 50B or 50C, 50D in Fig. 9 this Wear will be equally distributed in any pair of contact lines and thus no lateral misalignment of the gun sight will be occasioned thereby.

Of course, it should be noted that one real advantage provided by the constructions of the present invention is the ease with which the accurately formed straight elongated guide tracks and guide channels of Figs. 8 and 9 may be machined, ground and polished as desired.

I claim:

1. A gunsight mount for use upon firearms, said mount comprising a first elongated supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured to said firearms, a second elongated supporting member adapted to grip the first supporting member and arranged to have a gunsight or the like fixedly attached thereto, the first supporting member having longitudinal guide tracks projecting in opposite directions therefrom for engagement by the second supporting member, the second supporting member being C-shaped to receive said first member and having opposed portions with longitudinal channels for receiving the guide tracks of the first member when assembled iu operative position, the relative cross-sections of at least one of said guide tracks and its opposed channel limiting contact therebetween to a pair of substantially parallel lines formed by tangential surface contact, said surfaces being so oriented as to effect crowding action of said channel on its track.

2. A gunsight mount for use upon firearms, said mount comprising a first elongated supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured to said rearms, a second elongated supporting member adapted to grip the first Supporting member and arranged to have a gunsight or the like fixedly attached thereto, the first supporting member having longitudinal guide tracks projecting in opposite directions therefrom for engagement by the second supporting member, the second supporting member being C-shaped to receive said first member and having opposed portions with longitudinal channels for receiving the guide tracks of the first member when assembled in operative position, the relative shape of each channel and its cooperating guide track limiting contact therebetween to a pair of substantially parallel lines formed by tangential surface contact, said surfaces being oriented to effect crowding action of said channel on its track.

3. A gunsight mount for use upon firearms, said mount comprising a first elongated supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured to said firearms, a second elongated supporting member adapted to grip the first supporting member and arranged to have a gunsight or the like fixedly attached thereto, the first supporting member having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing guide tracks for engagement by the second supporting member, the second supporting member having a pair of opposed elongated channels for receiving the guide tracks of the first member when assembled in operative position, the central portion of said second member being rigid and both end portions being partially split and joined by an integral resilient arm affording slight resilient movement of said opposed channels toward and from each other to clamp and unolamp the guide tracks of the first member, and readily operable means cooperating with each of said split end portions at the location of said resilient arm for moving said opposed channels toward each other for effecting clamping action upon said guide tracks.

4. A gunsight mount for use upon firearms, said mount comprising a male supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured to said firearms, a female carrier member adapted to grip said supporting member and arranged to have a gunsight or the like fixedly attached thereto, said male member having an elongated guide track of semielliptical cross-section for engagement by said female member, said female member being integral and C-shaped to receive said male member and having Ian elongated channel of semi-circular cross-section for receiving said guide track, the relative cross-sections yof said channel portion and said guide track limiting contact therebetween to a pair of substantially parallel [lines formed b-y tangential surface contact, said surfaces being symmetrically positioned to effect crowding action of said channel on its track.

5. A gunsight mount for use upon firearms, said mount comprising a male supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured to said firearms, a female carrier member adapted to grip said supporting member and arranged to have a gunsight or the like fiXedly attached thereto, said malle member having opposed guide tracks for engagement by said female member, said female member having opposed channels for receiving the guide tracks of said male member when assembled in operative position, the central portion of said female member being rigid and both end portions being partially split and joined by an integral resilient arm affording slight resilient movement of said opposed channels toward and from'each other to clamp and unclamp the guide tracks of said male member, the relative cross-sections of at least one channel and its cooperating guide track limiting contact therebetween to a pair of substantially parallel lines formed by tangential surface contact, said surfaces being oriented to effect crowding action of said channel on its guide track, and .readily operable means cooperating with each of said split end portions at the location of said resilient arm for moving said opposed channels toward each other for effecting clamping action along said parallel lines. Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 526,588 Strandwold Sept. 25, 1894 1,856,549 Grifiin May 3, 1932 2,073,210 Horsrud Mar. 9, 1937 2,193,094 Gilbert Mar. 12, 1940 2,691,540 Knott Oct. 12, 1954 

